Legal sports betting went into effect in Virginia early in 2021, with more than a dozen online sportsbooks up and operational and many more coming.
Each online sportsbook offers a unique new-user promotion for bettors to try out before diving in head first. These new player offers provide bettors with enhanced playable funds as well as the opportunity to play around with the sportsbook as they determine which is their favorite.
But if you’re in Virginia and are interested in gambling on sports but are a little intimidated by some of the logistics, you’re not alone. But with our help, and this useful guide, we can help cut through some of the angst and make you feel comfortable. You’ll be up and winning in no time.
Are Virginia Sportsbook Promos Worth It?
Yes! Virginia sportsbook promos can give users valuable funds that can be used to get a sense of the online sports betting scene. Plus, with more than a dozen legal online sportsbooks in the commonwealth, taking advantage of each sportsbook promo is a great way to max out your playable funds without needing to constantly re-deposit in a sportsbook you don’t prefer.
Best VA Sports Betting Sites With Signup Bonuses
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is one of my personal favorites in the online sports betting scene. The MGM name is well-renowned for its various casino properties across the country and has become a marquee player in the online gambling space since it went live in 2018. BetMGM is always among the first to go live in new states when they roll out online sports betting.
The BetMGM Online Sportsbook has a remarkably user-friendly app and interface and has tons of great markets on North American sports and international markets alike. Plus, the BetMGM app and website offer boosts, promos and an array of free bets to new users and bettors who regularly engage with the sportsbook.
Plus, BetMGM is always giving great new-signup offers like bet-and-gets to players. But their best offer is a second-chance bet up to $1,000 that reimburses in free bets if it doesn’t hit. This means if you place your first wager of $50 or more, up to $1,000, and it doesn’t hit BetMGM will reimburse in free bets in 20 percent denominations — a $100 bet reimburses in five $20 bets, a $500 bet would pay back in five $100 wagers, etc.,
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook became a major player in online gambling after Caesars purchased the extremely popular British sportsbook William Hill in August 2021. It is one of the best options for online sports bettors with great odds, boosts and a wide number of sports available to bet on.
Plus, Caesars has arguably the best loyalty system in online sports betting, Caesars Rewards, where bettors receive points that can be redeemed for hotel and dining credits at Caesars properties, free bets and more. Plus, Caesars makes it extremely easy to sign up, and sign in, so you can get those live bets in fast before the odds drastically change.
Caesars’ new player offer is first-bet insurance up to $1,250, which reimburses as a second free bet if the first does not hit.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook has moved from marquee player in the daily-fantasy space to the No. 1 online sportsbook in America. FanDuel is a leader in sportsbook innovation, offering elite odds and tons of markets while also inventing things like the same-game parlay, which allows bettors to combine markets from the same sporting event that has since become the standard.
FanDuel has upped the ante with Same Game Parlay+, which empowers bettors to combine multiple markets from multiple games for even larger payouts. Plus, it has a terrific new-player bonus of a second-chance bet of up to $1,000 that reimburses in site credit if it does not hit.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook is a great option for online betting since it has a great user interface and gives gamblers a robust number of markets and promos. DraftKings has a great and user-friendly interface and offers boosts on parlays and a remarkable number of player props and futures bets.
Plus, DraftKings has one of the best new-user promos with a 20 percent first-deposit bonus up to $1,000. Depositing $5,000 would get the full allotment, but bettors interested in putting out less would still get 1/5 of their initial deposit in bonus funds.
WynnBet
WynnBet, the online sports-betting arm of the legendary Wynn Casino brand, is another fledgling brand in the online sports betting space. WynnBet has a great new-player offer that is a bet-and-get where users who wager $50 in cumulative bets receive $200 in site credits.
Plus, WynnBet has an array of boosts, props and promotions it offers to all users and provides guidance and tips with the helpful blog available right on its website. However, all sports bets must be placed through the WynnBet app as there is not a web-based wagering option.
SI Sportsbook
Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is the joint effort of the legendary media brand and 888 Sports, a notable British-based sportsbook that briefly operated in New Jersey. SI provides bettors with loads of markets and sports to wager on and has a terrific bet-and-get offer where new users who place $5 in bets receive $100 in site credit.
UniBet
Unibet Sportsbook is a Malta-based sportsbook that is popular abroad and began making inroads in the United States in 2019.
Unibet is a great option for international sports but also features a slew of U.S. sports betting options as well. Plus, Unibet has an exceptional new-player offer that is a second-chance bet of up to $250 that reimburses in site credit if the first-wager fails.
VA Sportsbook Promo Code vs. Bonus Code
The terms promo code and bonus code can be used interchangeably as each is a code required to activate a new-player bonus.
Do You Need A Virginia Promo Code?
Sometimes sportsbooks will ask for promo codes, like GAMEDAY in the case of BetMGM, but that is not always the case. Other times sportsbooks will require new users to opt into promotions. Sometimes sportsbooks will simply give users the new offer upon signing up.
If you click through any of our specially curated links then you’ll be directed to the sportsbook of your choice that will prompt you to cash in on the best new-user offer the sportsbook offers.
Some sportsbooks mandate a minimum deposit for the new offer to activate. Others require a minimum wager. As long as you read the fine print and follow the steps you will receive your new player bonus.
Best Virginia Sports Betting Promos
VA Sports Betting Deposit Match
Deposit matches are when users receive a certain percentage match up to a certain amount. They are one of the best promos since first-deposit matches double a player’s available funds without requiring the user to break the bank.
BetRivers, which is available in Virginia, has one of the most consistent first-deposit matches, a 100 percent match up to $250. DraftKings has another elite option with a 20 percent first-deposit match up to $1,000.
These are great offers to take advantage of for new players.
VA Sports Betting Second-Chance Bet
A second-chance bet is a wager that reimburses if it does not hit. There are two types of second-chance bets: one that reimburses in site credit and those that are reimbursed as a second wager. The best second-chance bets are those that pay out in site credit since they give users playable funds instead of leaving bettors on their own if their initial two wagers fail.
Either way, a second-chance bet is still a great new-player option since bettors won’t lose their money if their first bet fails.
VA Sports Betting Bet & Get
Bet and gets are budding in popularity among sportsbooks and new users since it requires a small deposit and first bet, like $5-$10, that pays out in site credit of $200. Bet and gets typically center around marquee sporting events like the NFL playoffs or NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
These are one of my most favorite sportsbook promotions since you receive a solid amount of playable funds and can spend some time on the sportsbook app to determine if you enjoy playing with the app.
VA Sports Betting No-Deposit Bonus
No-deposit bonuses aren’t popular in the sportsbook realm — they are typically more widely available in the casino space — but some sportsbooks will give bettors a small amount of playable funds, between $10-$20, just for signing up.
No-deposit bonuses, or free bets, can be extremely useful though since they can be used as playable funds without dipping into your own hard-earned money. If a sportsbook offers a no-deposit bonus it is integral to take advantage of.
How To Pick the Best VA Sportsbook Promos
Determining the best promo is a matter of personal preference. Here’s a look at some criteria to consider.
- Restrictions: Every bonus has some fine print. Some first-deposit bonuses require users to play through the bonus a certain number of times — the best have a 1x playthrough. Some second-chance bets must be of a certain odds threshold, usually -200 or longer. The best bonuses are the ones that empower you, the player, to have the best time gambling with that app/website. Seek those out.
- Type of Bonus: Find the bonus that is most conducive to your playing style. Are you trying to hit double your money and cash out? Take a second-chance bet. Do you want to keep your money in and play a while? Do a first-deposit bonus. Do you want to bet but can’t justify putting out hundreds of dollars? A bet and get is perfect for that. There’s a bonus for everyone.
- Bonus Size: A new-user bonus is the absolute best offer a sportsbook is going to give you, so it’s best to take full advantage of it if you can. A $1,000 second-chance bet that reimburses in site credit or multiple reimbursed bets are better than one that reimburses in a second free bet. A 100 percent first-deposit match of $250 gives you $500 in playable funds. Again, find the one that is conducive to your playing style.
- Expiration: Every new-player bonus expires, meaning you have a certain amount of time to play through your bonus before it goes away. The best sportsbooks will give you up to 90 days to play through your bonus. Definitely make sure your bets don’t need to be settled within a certain amount of time, lest you lose out on your reimbursed second-chance bet because you put $500 on a future bet like the Washington Capitals to win the Stanley Cup.
How To Use Virginia Sportsbook Bonuses
The best way to use your sportsbook bonus is to treat it like playable funds you deposited. Be strategic and thoughtful with your bonus, since again, these bonuses are one-shot deals that will not be around after they’re exhausted.
Don’t be afraid to put out some bonus funds on longshot bets you like. Just do your homework and don’t spend it all in one place.
Make sure to use your bonus funds also to assess your opinion of the site. If you don’t enjoy the site’s interface, or it is glitchy, play through your bonus funds and cash out, hopefully with more. If you find that you like the app or website where you’re playing then keep playing with it even if you need to deposit a second time.
Most importantly, be sure to play through the bonus before it expires. Bonus funds can be turned into real money if you play your cards right. You wouldn’t let a check for $100-plus expire, would you.
Also be sure to have fun and be responsible. Gambling on sports is supposed to add a level of excitement to our favorite games and matches. We want our favorite team to win, but putting out more money than we can swing can have real, serious consequences. Be thoughtful.
Do VA Sports Betting Bonuses Have Restrictions or Limitations?
As stated above, all bonuses have fine print. Here’s some of the restrictions to keep in mind.
- Time: There is a certain limit on how long you have to use your bonus funds. Some initial first bets in a second-chance bet must be settled within seven days. Others that are reimbursed must be played through or settled within 90 days. Make sure to read the specifics of the bonus.
- Opt Ins: Or promo codes. Some sportsbooks require users to provide a promo code to activate the bonus. Others ask users to check a box opting in — usually due to the fact there are multiple new-player promos to consider. Be sure to do that, or confirm that you don’t need to, before inserting your funds and placing your first wager.
- Maximums: There’s obviously a finite amount of money a sportsbook is going to give a new player in a bonus. A second-chance bet of up to $5,000 might seem crazy, but some players will put $10,000 or more on a single wager online. Make sure that you’re placing a wager that is within your means, but also that isn’t too much to be reimbursed if it doesn’t hit.
- Bet Restrictions: Sometimes futures are not allowed because they won’t settle in time. Sometimes you’ll have to place a wager of a certain odds length — usually -200 or longer — for a second-chance bet. Certain prop bets are not available for an initial wager.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements are generally the sportsbook’s house rules about taking advantage of the new-player bonus. For instance, some sportsbooks will let new users bet on whatever they want in an effort to let them peruse the website. Some sportsbooks have stricter rules — typically those that offer second-chance bets instead of site credit — to abide by.
The best new-player bonus is the one that lets you play with it like it’s your own money. Be sure to gravitate more toward those sites instead of the ones that try to bog you down with rules and restrictions.
Free Bets vs VA No-Deposit Bonuses
No-deposit bonuses are funds that sportsbooks give new players just for signing up. Some sportsbooks will give users who complete signup up to $20 in free credit to play without even making a deposit.
Free bets are promos that sportsbooks give to users for being valued members that continue to play. BetMGM is one of the best sportsbooks at giving players free bets, typically in the $10 range. To use a free bet, simply place the wager you were going to make, click the box to opt-into using your free bet and let it ride.
Each promo is great to take advantage of since they enable bettors to win without risking their own valuable funds.
Look for More Than One Virginia Sportsbook Promo
I always have funds available in multiple online sportsbook accounts since that enables me to take advantage of the lucrative new-player offers and shop for the best odds on the markets I’m interested in betting.
Taking advantage of the new-player offers is integral since the new-player bonus is always the sportsbook’s best offer, and they can lengthen your ability to play without making a second deposit.